Pathogen evolution, prevention/control strategy and clinical features of COVID-19: experiences from China

Front Med. 2023 Dec;17(6):1030-1046. doi: 10.1007/s11684-023-1043-5. Epub 2023 Dec 29.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported at the end of 2019 as a worldwide health concern causing a pandemic of unusual viral pneumonia and many other organ damages, which was defined by the World Health Organization as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic is considered a significant threat to global public health till now. In this review, we have summarized the lessons learnt during the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2, including its prototype and variants. The overall clinical features of variants of concern (VOC), heterogeneity in the clinical manifestations, radiology and pathology of COVID-19 patients are also discussed, along with advances in therapeutic agents.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; clinical features; coronavirus disease 2019; epidemiology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2